INNER MONGOLIA(HOHHOT)
Lying in the northern border of China, the Inner Mongolia Autonomous region borders to the north with both the Republic of Mongolia and Russia and is the widest province in China. It is essentially an inland plateau with a flat surface and fringed by mountains and valleys. It endures a long cold winter but a pleasant summer. It is the third largest Chinese province (over 1.1 square kilometers or 424,736 square miles) but is not very populated. The province has about 24 million inhabitants. Many ethnic groups are living in the area including Mongolian, Daur, Orogen, Ewenki, Hui, Han, Korean and Manchu. Hohhot is the capital of Inner Mongolia. In mongolian, Hohhot means the "green city" because of its far flung grassland. Ava is from Hohhot.
It boasts many famous tourist attractions and places of interest such as the Five Pagoda Monastery, Dazhao Temple, Xiletuzhao, Tomb of Princess Wang Zhaojun and Wanbuhuuayanjing.
Dazhao Temple
It is a Buddist monastery and is the oldest building and largest monastery in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia.
Five Pagoda Monastery
Five Pagoda Monastery
It is a unique temple in Hohhot as it features classic Indian style architecture. Built in 1732. Over 1500 Buddas are carved into the walls of the temple.
Map of Provinces of China
Map of China showing the autonomous Regions
Genghis Khan Mausoleum
One of Inner Mongolia's most famous past residents was Genghis Khan. Genghis Khan, "Khan of Khans" was the great leader of the Mongolians. At the end of the 12th Century, he united Mongolian tribes and challenged other powers to expand his huge Mongolian empire, which extended from South China to the Caspian Sea. In 1277 Khan attacked the west Xia Kingdom(now Ningxia) and encountered strong resistance. He succumbed to old age and disease. He was later buried secretly according to Mongolian custom. It is said that after the burial 2000 men were killed by some 800 soldiers who were in turn executed so the location of the real tomb remains a secret.
Wanbuhuayanjing
It is named the Wanbuhuayanjing(Ten Thousand Volumes of Huayan Scriptures) Pagoda because, so the legend goes, the thousand volumes of Huayan scriptures were preserved inside. Today no Buddist scriptures are to be found there. It has since been painted white and is known as the White Pagoda by the local people.
Tomb of Princess Wang Zhaojin
It was built to memorialize a Han dynasty concubine.
Xiletyzhao
Xiletuzhao Temple
It is a temple located in the old city area of Hohhot and it's 15m white marble stupa is said to be the most beautiful in Inner Mongolia. It was built in 1585 for the third Dalai Lama and the complex features both Tibetan and Chinese style architecture.
Grasslands of Inner Mongolia
One of the big attractions of Inner Mongolia is to be able to see the grasslands, ride the horses and see the Mongolian way of Life. Inner Mongolia is one part of what was originally the Mongol Homeland, a vast area that also encompasses all of Mongolia(the country), and a large part of Siberia. In the grasslands beyond the Great Wall and the Gobi Desert, the Mongols endured a rough life as shepards and horse breeders. They moved with the seasons in search of food, living in tents known as Yurts(Ger).
Grasslands and farms
Grasslands and horses
Sheep in the grasslands
More grassland pictures
Yurts(Ger) are made of compressed sheep wool and shaped like a squat Native American Teepee. They are windowless. The yurts are made from latticed wood frames, originally designed to be folded up and carried by camel. They have thick rug floors and are usually furnished with blankets, low beds, quilts and pillows.
Horses in the grasslands
Grasslands and horses
Entertainment in the grasslands are many activities including mongolian wrestling, horse and camel riding, rodeo competitions, archery, as well as visiting traditional families. The best time to do all this is during Naadam Festival, in the second half of August when the crowds are out in full and a fair-like atmosphere is created. Naadam means "entertainment" or "game" in mongolian. Horse racing, wrestling and archery are called men's three skills. At this time the city is a burst of colour and activity. Costumes are brightly coloured and beautifully designed. There are performances of traditional dancing, singing and melodies from traditional mongolian instruments, including the sawing charms of the horsehead fiddle(matouquin). Hey Janet...maybe when Ava gets here you'll have another fiddler for your jam sessions?
Yurts(Ger) in the grasslands
Yurts (Gers)
Yurt (Ger)
Mongolian Wrestlers
Mongolian child
Mongolian Women
Traditional Mongolian Dress
Naadam Festival Competitions
Playing the Horse Head Fiddle
Women in traditional Costume
Male wrestlers
Mongolian Cuisine
Mongolian couple outside their Yurt (Ger)
The most famous specialties in Hohhot are the many meat dishes, with the focus mainly on mutton or lamb. The most famous dish in town is undoubtedly the mongolian hotpot, that can be found in most restaurants. The local food of Inner Mongolia is a blend of its changing cultures as the cuisine is representative of both Mongolian and Chinese influences. Most of the food is similar to muslim dishes found in Xinjiang and other minority provinces of China with special emphasis on Lamb. The fertile grasslands of Inner Mongolia also allow for plenty of cattle which in turn adds many dairy products to the daily Mongolian diet. Favorite dishes include: Roast Lamb, butter, Shaomai, Instant-boiled mutton, cheese, Naked oat flour, cooked mutton, sour milk, buckwheat flour,finger mutton and milk tea.
Hohhot boasts a good variety of shopping specialties. For souvenir hunters interesting items include the traditional mongolian knives, mongolian carpets, camel hair products, brass teapots, cashmere sweaters, silver bowls, jade bottles as well as quality leather boots and clothes. Saddles and other horse gear are also available.
